Black anodising for leading air-bearing specialist

Citation

(2003), "Black anodising for leading air-bearing specialist", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 50 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2003.12850aaf.004

Black anodising for leading air-bearing specialist

Black anodising for leading air-bearing specialist

Keywords: Metal finishing, Aluminium, Anodising

Weymouth based metal finishing specialist, Tecan, is reported to have supplied tens of thousands of defect-free black-anodised aluminium parts, to a major high-precision engineering company, Air Bearings Limited (ABL), Poole, Dorset (Plate 2).

On a weekly basis, for over 4 years, Tecan has taken high-precision machined aluminium parts for ABL, for in-house Type-1 and Type-3 (hard) black anodising, consistently returning them on time, to specification and with virtually no defects.

Plate 2 Weymouth based plating specialist, Tecan, has supplied tens of thousands of defect-free black-anodised aluminium parts, to the world-leading high-precision engineering company, Air Bearings

“Consistent quality and accuracy are imperative, as are prompt and regular delivery to meet our high quality standards and production needs,” said Ronald Henocq, Air Bearings Founder and Director. “Before Tecan, experienced a wide range-of problems with other plating suppliers, particularly with hard black anodising where rejects, scrap and poor corrosion resistance were all prevalent. I am happy to state that in my 50 year’s experience in the world of high-precision engineering I have never had dealings with a plating company as proficient and cooperative as Tecan, their anodising is the best I have ever seen and the quality is first class. Over our 4 year relationship we have had no trouble whatsoever. Aesthetics, accuracy and corrosion resistance are all excellent, and defects are exceptionally rare.”

Tecan hard black anodises in excess of 20 different parts for ABL, including spindle bodies, piston cylinders and end caps. The parts require varying levels of hard anodisation, typically in the ranges 15/20, 25/35 or 35/45 microns. Tecan believes that regular analysis and control, particularly of the black dye used in the process and a “clean room” approach to production, along with ongoing attention to fine detail, contribute to the supply of consistently high standard parts.

The company has recently opened a dedicated new £1 m purpose-built facility, providing OEMs and other discerning customers with access to market leading high-specification surface-finishing and cost-effective bespoke plating for both everyday solutions and niche applications.

Finishes available include acid gold, pure gold, silver, bright tin, 60/40 tin lead, 90/10 tin lead, sulphamate nickel, electroless nickel, copper, Type 1 sulphuric anodising and Type 3 hard anodising (colours to specification), stainless steel passivating, and Alochrome 1,200 chemical blackening.

Non-destructive X-ray fluorescent testing is employed, to ensure consistently flat and even surfaces and desired thickness meet the required specifications. QA programmes can be tailored to suit individual statistical process control (SPC) needs, with traceability reports generated as necessary.

ABL specialises in the design and manufacture of airbearings and ultra high- speed drilling spindles for the PCB industry’s most prestigious companies, worldwide. The drilling machines have to maintain their high-volume performance in harsh production environments, typically operating at speeds in excess of 150,000 rpm, repeatedly dialing endless thousands of holes as small as 0.075 mm (three thousandths of an inch) diameter. The company is currently developing 350,000 rpm units and is committed to excellence in the provision of other ultra high-rpm equipment.

Details available from: Tecan Components Ltd, Tel: +44 (0) 1305 765432; Fax: +44 (00) 1305 780194; E-mail: sales@tecan.co.uk; Web site: www.tecan.co.uk